Somm - inside the world of the wine expert

Wine tasting to accompany Galway Film Fleadh screening

Dustin Wilson, one of four would-be master sommeliers featured in Somm.

THE COURT of Master Sommeliers sounds like something from Dungeons and Dragons or a Yes concept album, but it is a serious institution with extremely high standards.

A sommelier is a trained wine professional who specialises in all aspects of wine service and wine and food pairing. The role involves wine procurement, wine storage, wine cellar rotation, expert service to wine consumers; the development of wine lists; and providing training for the other restaurant staff.

The sommelier then has a significant role to play in a restaurant and high standards are expected - so high in fact that 90 per cent of those who take part in the Court of Master Sommeliers’ Master Sommelier Exam fail the test.

The world of the sommelier and those taking the Master Sommelier Exam is explored in a new documentary, Somm, to be screened by the Galway Film Fleadh, in association with wine merchants Cases Wine Warehouse.

Somm, which takes a humorous, emotional and illuminating look into this world, will be screened in the Radisson Blu Hotel on Wednesday July 9 at 8pm - the documentary’s debut Irish festival screening.

It will be preceded by a brief introduction to the wines from Peter Boland of Cases. Somm has won multiple film festival awards and all the wines set for tasting on the night will be top-end examples of their style.

Tickets are €30 including wines. Prior booking is recommended as places are limited. For more information and booking see www.galwayfilmfleadh.com